Does Veterinary Science have a future in Australia?| Biomed Grid

In 2018, an Australian veterinary scientist asked the question, “Does Veterinary Science have a future in Australia [1]? The discipline of veterinary science has a relatively short history in Australia, and it was not until the 20th century that university veterinary education began. Four university veterinary schools were established in the 20th century (1909, 1910, 1936 and 1974), and during the 21st century, three new schools were added (2005, 2006 and 2008). Today, Australia has more veterinary schools per capita than any other western nation. Australia's veterinarians serve in private practice, government, academia and industry. Initially, veterinary scientists devoted their expertise to servicing economic livestock and this justified their utility to Australia's economy. However, today, approximately 90% function in private practice, with the majority providing a dog and cat GP service in urban and major regional centres, so the author askes the question, do we need the veterinary professions at all? Historically, Great Britain established a penal colony on the east coast of Terra Australis in 1788, but it was not until 1901, that the Commonwealth of Australia was proclaimed. Prior to this, there was little need for veterinary scientists. Australia's veterinary literature documents that the first veterinary practice was established in Sydney in 1841. As Australia developed an agricultural economy during the second half of the 19th century, the demand for veterinary scientists increased. During the first half of the 20th century, graduates from Australia's veterinary schools worked in institutions, such as government, academia and industry predominated, with private practitioners occupying a minor role. During the second half of that century, the situation reversed with the majority entering private practice and this coincided with the decline in the significance of livestock productivity in Australia's economy. Initially all livestock were imported, and Australia experienced animal diseases brought into the country and the need for quarantine became self-evident. State quarantine laws were put in place from 1871 and these were incorporated into the Commonwealth Government's Quarantine Act of 1908.